Writing implement



Feb. l2, 1963 L. c. HANSEN WRITING IMPLEMENT @NN NS wQ NQ NN wm. wm wwNw INVENTOR. Ow WMM l! luk nwh! w Y le lullin Feb. 12, 1963 Filed Sept.l1, 1956 9/ a@ 4d ad L` C. HANSEN WRITING IMPLEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. om /wm BY.

Feb. 12, 1963 f c. HANSEN WRITING IMPLEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept.1l, 1956 INVENTOR. @gw

Feb. l2, 1963 c. HANSEN WRITING IMPLEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @mv QW mmvMm.

IN V EN TOR.

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bm Nm MW www n lrfI islnite ttes 3,077,185 WRHWG EMPLEMENT Lewis C.Hansen, Fort Madison, Iowa., assigner to W. A.

Shealfer Peu Company, Fort Madison, Iowa, a corporation of DelawareFiled Sept. 11, 1956, Ser. No. 6il9,l16 1li Claims. (Cl. 1242.l3}

This invention relates to writing implements and more particularly towriting implements of the fountain pen type.

In the construction of the usual type fountain pen employing a liquidwriting fluid it has usually been necessary to provide such implementswith a cap if the implements are to be carried in the pocket or handbagof the user. The caps have been considered necessary in order to preventaccidental spilling of the writing iluid wit-h attendant soiling of theclothes of the person carrying the implement. Furthermore, fountain pensare generally constructed so that the caps are provided with pocketclips so that when the implement is carried it will be in the point upposition. Under certain circumstances this has not been whollysatisfactory since after long periods in the point up position, thewriting iluid may ydry or drain away from the writing tip so that theimplement will not immediately write when applied to the writingsurface. Furthermore, the caps that have been used iu the past offer thefurther disadvantage that they may become separated from the implementand lost, vf/hereafter it is practically impossible for the implement toIbe carried by the user lwithout soiling the clothes.

It has been proposed in connection with the so-called ball point penwritinfI implements to provide a device in which the point of theimplement can be reuacted into the main body portion thereof whereby theimplement may readily be carried by the user without concern over thesoiling of clothes. However, such structures have not been feasible inconnection with fountain .pens employing liquid writing fluid since theliquid fluid in most types of constructions tends to leak from the pointupon changes in temperature or barometric conditions.

Accordingly, it is an obiect of this invention to provide a fountain penin which it is not necessary to ernploy the usual type of cap forconcealing the writing point when the implement is not in use.

A further obiect of this invention is the provision of a fountain penwhich may be carried by the user in a point down position in order thatthe writing point will always be ready for immediate transfer of fluidupon use.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a caplessfountain pen which may be readily carried in the pocket or in a handbagwithout danger of prematurely discharging Writing fluid from theimplement.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a novelconstruction which may be readily adaptable to many types of implementsthat have been previously sold commercially.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of improvedmeans for feeding writing fluid in a fountain pen from a reservoir to aforwardly disposed writing tip.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of improvedmeans for forcefully filling the capillary reservoir of a fountain pen.

Further and additional objects will appear from the followingdescription, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In one form of this invention an improved fountain pen is providedhaving a capillary reservoir disposed within a barrel assembly with awriting element and a filling tube `disposed forwardly of the reservoirand eX- tensible through an open forward end of the barrel assembly.More particularly, a caples-s fountain pen is provided in which awriting element is shiftable relative to and through the open forwardend of a barrel assembly wherein the open end is normally lsealed by ayieldab-le element and a filling tube is coaXially mounted with thewriting element and shiftable between positions forwardly and rearwardlyof the writing element. The writing element and ii-lling tube are spacedapart to define a capillary space therebetween extending longitudinally`from the capillary reservoir to the writing tip. Means is also'provided for `forcefully filling the capillary reservoir with writingfluid by the successive actuation of a telescoping pneumatic assembly.As indicated above, this invention is readily applicable to a number ofdifferent types of constructions that have been suggested in the priorart. For example, this invention is readily adaptable to a device havingan extensible `filling tube such as is disclosed in Lynn P. Martinapplication Serial No. 256,897, led November 17, 1951, now Patent No.2,769,- 427, and more particularly to an implement having apneumatically collapsible sac of the character disclosed in MartinUnited States Patent No. 2,610,612, dated September 15, 1952. However,the invention has particular applicability in those Writin-g implementsthat are` provided with a so-called capillary mass type reservoir andsuch an implement is Idisclosed in the copending application of Craig R.Sheafier, Serial No. 319,031, tiled November 6, 1952, now Patent No.2,784,699. As is known, capillary reservoirs are freely vented to theatmosphere at their rearward ends and it is not necessary to provideexpansion chambers because of the fact that writing iluid is notexpelled therefrom due to barometric or temperature changes. Thus thecapillary type reservoirs are essentially free from leakage underordinary conditions of use and are therefore particularly suitable foruse in connection with the provision of a capless type fountain pen ofthe character contemplated by this invention. Y

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

PIG. l is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the forward end ofa fountain pen incorporatingr the novel features of the invention withthe various parts illustrated in their closed or normal positions;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the rearwardportion of the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a transverse sectionalView of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the latching element forming a part ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional View of the embodiment of FIGS. l and1A taken on the line 4 4 of FlG. 1A;

FIG, 5 is a transverse sectional View of the embodiment of rFlG. 1 takenon the line S--5 thereof;

JFlG. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. l takenon the line --d thereof;

FlG. 7 illustrates in enlarged longitudinal section the forward portionof the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the writing element partially shiftedto the writing position;

FIG. 8 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 in cnlarged longitudinalsection with the writing element in an overextended position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view of theembodiment of FIG. l with the writing element in the writing position;

PEG. 10 is an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view of theembodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the operating mechanism for extendingand retracting the writing tip;

.FEG. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the forwardportion of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the filling tube extended;

Fifa llA is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the rearwardportion of the -embodiment of FIG. 1 with the writing tube in theextended position; and

FlG. 12 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the rearwardportion of the embodiment of FIG. l with the force filling mechanismactuated.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. l and 1A, afountain pen 20 is illustrated having a main barrel portion 22 with acapillary reservoir unit 2d disposed therein. A sleeve 26 is slidablymounted on theV main barrel portion 22 to selectivelyl expose or conceala writing element 28 which extends forwardly from and is integral withthe reservoir unit 24. At the forward end of writing element 255 awriting tip Si) having the conventional longitudinal slit therein isemployed. A filling tube 32 is coaxially mounted within the writingelement 23 and adapted for longitudinal movement for purposes and in amanner to be explained in greater detail hereinafter. The outer diameterof filling tube 32 and the inner diameter of writing element 28 are soselected that a space 3d exists between the two elements which is ofcapillary dimensions and continuous over the lentire length of thefilling tube and writing element. Thus, a capillary writing fluid pathis provided between the rearward end of the writing element 2S and thewriting tip 39.

ri`he fluid reservoir is defined by the barrel portion 22, a rearwardlydisposed annular plug 36 having apertures 53 therein and a forwardlydisposed plug stl which is threaded into the forward end of the body Z2.The space thus defined is filled with a capillary mass 42. Any one ofmany well known capillary masses may be employed. `For example, thespace may be filled with woven gauze, a helically wound film havingspaces between adjacent layers, or a plurality of small spheres havingcapillary dimensions therebetween, as is described in the Craig R..Sheaffer patent set out above.

The writing element 28 has a rearwardly disposed flange de which issecured in the plug di) by a collar d6 in threaded engagement therewith.As clearly illustrated in FIG. 6, the plug itl slidably supports theinner filling tube 3?; and at the point where the filling tube passesthrough the plug itl the filling tube is formed with a plurality ofrecesses or splines 418 which will insure the passage of writing fluidfrom the reservoir 24 to the writing tip 3l).

The sleeve 26 encloses the writing tip 39 when the fountain pen is notin use, as illustrated in FIG. l. The forward open end i) of the sleeve2.6 is normally closed by a flexible seal 52. The seal S2 has aplurality of radial slits extending outwardly from the center thereofwhereby the seal may be deformed to pass the writing element 28 andfilling tube 32 therethrough. The sleeve 26 is formed of two parts, agripping section S4 which is threaded into a barrel section 56. Thejuncture of the gripping section 54 and barrel section 56 is ornamentedby a metallic ring 5S. The barrel section 56 is slidably mounted on themain barrel portion 22 and a shell 60 is mounted on the main barrelportion 22, sad shell being formed of metal or other suitable material.The main barrel portion 22 has a reduced outer diameter at its forwardend whereby an annular recess 62. is defined which receives the rearwardportion of the barrel section 56 of sleeve 26. Thus, the sleeve 26 maybe axially shifted on the main barrel portion 22 to expose the writingtip 3d in a manner which will be described hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the first step in the actuation of themechanism is illustrated. When the writer wishes to expose the writingtip 36 for use he presses the main barrel portion 22 and sleeve 2otogether in a familiar manner compressing coil spring 3S. In axiallyshifting the sleeve Z6, a cylindrical element 6d having a taperedforward end do engages the inner surface of resilient seal 52 spreadingthe furcated portion 65 thereof to permit passage of the writing elementtherethrough. The cylindrical element 64 is normally urged forwardlyslidably on writing element 23 by a coil spring 74 which is cornpressedbetween a collar lll formed on cylindrical element 6d and a stop 7o. Theforward position of cylindrical element 64 relative to writing element28 is established by the tapered ring 65 fixed on the forward end ofwriting element The collar 76 formed on cylinder 6d will abut against ashoulder '72 formed in the gripping section 5d to limit forward movementof the cylindrical element with writing element 23 relative to sleeve26. Spring stop 76 is secured in collar 46 which is in turn carried byplug d@ forming a part of the main Ibody portion 22.

The second step in the actuation of the writing element to a writingposition is illustrated in FIG. 8. Further relative axial movement ofthe main body portion 22 and the sleeve 26 further compresses spring SSand causes the writing element E@ to protrude beyond the open forwardend of gripping section 54 through seal 52 which has been spread asdescribed above. Coil spring 7d is compressed by this further motion andthe sleeve Z6 is moved to a point t here resilient detents 7d formed inlatching sleeve 3d pass into an annular recess dll formed in an annularinsert 82 which forms a part of and moves with sleeve 2o. FEhe latchingelement Se is formed of spring steel or similar material and is clearlyshown in perspective in FlG. 3. As can be seen in FIG. 3, thecylindrical latching element 8d has a plurality of longitudinal slitsformed therein to denne detents 7d and additional portions are formedoutwardly to provide resilient faces 86 which will maintain the latchingelement Sd in desired positions within the sleeve 2o by selectiveengagement with the insert d2 or the forward edge 49 of collar lid.

ln axially shifting the sleeve 2d rearward during the rst step describedabove motion of the latching element tiriis initially frictionallyprevented by the interference of ring 93 and resilient faces iid oflatching element 3d until the rear edge of the cylindrical latchingelement 3d abuts the forward edge i7 of the large portion of the collardo, imparting a forward motion to the latching element d4.

Further forward motion of sleeve 26 and the cylindrical latching element84 causes the resilient faces Sd of the latching element 54 to bedepressed inwardly by the ring 3, exerting pressure upon the smalldiameter section 45 of the collar 46.

As shown in FIG. 8, rearward movement of sleeve 26 effects engagement ofdetents 78 in recess Sil. Upon' manual release of sleeve 26, coil springS8 urges sleeve 26 forwardly, causing detents 78 to engage the rearwardedge of recess Si). Thus, further forward movement of sleeve 26 carrieslatching element 8d forward to a point, where the forward edge thereofabuts stop 76, which, as already described, is fixed in plug di?, andthe rearward edges 87 of the resilient faces S6 of latching element S4move to a position forward of the small diameter 45 of the collar i6 andalso move inwardly contacting the small diameter cylindrical portion 77of the stop 76. Thus, the sleeve is restrained against further forwardmovement under the influence of the spring 88, and the writing tip 3bremains exposed for use. The writing element is illustrated in thewriting position in FlG. 9 with the detents in engagement with therearward edge of recess Sii and the forward edge 9i) of latching element84 abutting the stop '76.` The springs 74 and d8 are thus maintained',under compression while the writing element 28 is in the writingposition. As shown in PEG. 10, when conditioned,AV

for writing, or when in the oxerextended position, the: rearward edges87 of the resilient faces 36 of the latchf ing element 34 contact theforward edge 49 of the small diameter portion i5 of the collar 46.

When it is desired to retract the writing tip to the sealed position,the sleeve is once again manually actuated to produce the overextensionof the writing element illustrated in FlG. 8 and the overextension ofthe latching element iid illustrated in FIG. l0. A slidable sleeve 92 isdisposed within insert mounted on sleeve 26 and movable betweenpredetermined limits. rille limits are determined by the rearward liange91 of insert 82 and a ring 93 which is forced within the forward end ofinsert 82. Overextension of writing element 28 forces detents 73inwardly as they slide forwardly onto sleeve 92 and thus sleeve 92 ridesrearwardly with the detents 78 of latching element ddto a point wherethe sleeve 92 abuts rearward flange 9d. As the forward edge 9b' ofsleeve 84 remains in abutment with stop 7-5, further forward movement ofsleeve Zo produces relative rearward movement of the latching sleeve dwhereby detents 78 slide onto flange 91. rl`hus, release of the sleevewill return the parts to the positions illustrated in FlG. 1. Subsequentmanual actuation of the sleeve 25 and barrel portion will again positionthe writing element for use in the manner already described.

To facilitate filling the capillary reservoir 24, the lilling tube 32 isextensible relative to the writing element 23. The extension of fillingtube 32 is accomplished by the mechanism disposed in the main barrelportion 22 rearwardly of the reservoir 24. A shaped plug 94 is insertedin the rearward end of filling tube 32 and a coil spring 96 normallyurges the plug 94 and consequently the filling tube 32 forwardlyrelative to the main body portion 22, reservoir 2dand writing clement 2Sfixed thereto. The coil spring 9e is compressed between a collar g8formed on plug 9d and an apertured annular ring 1Gb secured against ashoulder l'f. formed in the main body portion 22. An operating pin 102is slidably mounted in a central aperture in ring fritti and is securedto plug 9d. Pin lil?. an enlarged threaded portion lll-i which is inengagement with a correspondingly threaded insert lilo secured in atelescoping tube N8. Tube 10S has a decorative cap llt) secured to therearward end thereof by machine screw 32 whereby the tube ll'i and capil@ may be manually rotated and actuated together.

As illustrated best in FIG. 4, the plug lltltl is provided with aplurality of vent holes lil-l'. The central aperture in plug loll isgenerally square and the pin 152 has .a corresponding cross section. Theplug llll is fixed in the main barrel portion 22 and thus the pin lill,plug 94, and filling tube are restrained against rotation relative tothe main body. Rotation of cap il@ thus produces relative axial movementof the cap and the pin im because of the threaded engagement of theparts, and this axial movement produces a forward extension of thefilling tube 3?. under the influence of spring 96.

FIGS. ll and 11A illustrate the preferred embodiment of this inventionwith the lling tube 32 in the extended position. in the fully extendedposition, as can Ibe seen in HG. 11A, the enlarged threaded portionlitri of pin itt?, engages plug ldd, limiting forward motion ot' thefilling tube 32 under the influence of spring 96. Further rotary motionof cap 1lb will provide rearward movement of the cap and tube lillewhereby the tube is freed from threaded engagement with pin M2. When sofreed, the cap and tube are immediately urged rearwardly by compressedcoil spring llo to a position where further rearward movement isprevented by engagement of a lianged portion ll of tube ltS .against ashoulder l2@ formed in the main barrel portion ZZ.

A. circular sealing ring 122 is disposed in a recess in the main barrelportion 22 and engages tube 19E to provide a pneumatic seal. Thus, asthe tube 10S moves rearwardly to the position shown in FIG. l2 theexpansion of the chamber defined thereby causes partial collapse of aresilient iiexible sac 124 which surrounds spring 96 and plug 94. Sac124 is ot a generally cylindrical shape sealed at its rearward end inplug lll@ and at its forward end in plug 9d. Tous, as the tube 108 movesrearwardly and the sac l2@ is partially collapsed, air is drawn into thespace 126 created thereby and this air is drawn upwardly through thefilling tube 32 through a transverse aperture 12S formed in the fillingtube and through a plurality of vent apertures 38 formed in the rearwardplug 36. Thus, tluid is drawn upwardly through tube 32 and into thecapillary mass 42 where it remains in capillary suspension. The tluidwill move forwardly in the capil lary mass 42 upon successivedepressions of cap 110 whereby the capillary mass may be completelycharged with fluid by a plurality of actu'at-ions of the cap;

The pen is then reconditioned for writing by reversing 'the stepsdescribed above. The cap litt is forced inwardly toward the main bodyportion 22 and threaded Iinto engagement with pin lill. Rotation of capllo draws filling tube 32 rearwardly to the position illustrated in FiG.9 and the pen is in condition for writing. Then, Ias already described,the Writing element may be shifted between the concealed and the writingposition by selecit-ive operation of the barrel and sleeve mechanism.

A pocket clip 23? :of a conventional type is provided and is secured inthe metal shell 6d in a conventional manner.

Various changes and modifications of the basic structure describedherein will immediately appear to one 'skilled in this art. For example,the advantages of the unique forced filling device described above maybe employed with conventional fountain pens and with fountain pens whichdo not employ an extensible filling tube. However, it will appear thatthe full advantages of this forced hlling ltechnique are obtained in alountain pen using a capillary reservoir and an extensible filling tube.

Also the concept of ytwo concentric cylinders, one of which comprises awriting element to provide improved -tluid feeding and `the other, aiilling tube, may be employed with other forms or reservoir types andfilling mechanisms. The use of the capillary space between the twoelements for fluid feeding may also clearly be employed in otherfountain pen structures.

The various means described above are clearly exemplary and only oneparticular embodiment of the invention. Other nib means, reservoirmeans, mechanical means for extending and retractng the writing point,mechanical means for extending and retracting the filling tube, pressuremeans for filling the reservoir, and the like may be provided withoutdeparting from the rspirit and scope of this invention. For example,while the gener-al discussion above refers to a rearwardly ventedreservoir, it will be apparent that this language is properly construedto include any longitudinal reservoir means vented at a point oppositethe writing tip whereby writing iiuid may be discharged to the tip,irrespective of the possible 'tortuous shape of the reservo-ir or `anyconnecting tubes yor passages.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain thecharacter of my invention that others may, by applying currentknowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions ofservice, while retaim'ng certain features which may properly be said toconstitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items areintended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

l claim:

1. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly having an open forwardend, a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel assembly, saidcartridge unit including a iluid reservoir having means therein definingcommunicating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, aforwardly extending filling tube of noncapillary dimensions in iluidcommunication with ysaid reservoir, said vent means providingcommunication between said resace-aise ervoir and said fil-ling tube, =atubular writing element having `a writing tip coaxial with andsurrounding said filling tube, said filling tube and writing elementbeing substantially yaxially aligned with said open forward end andspaced apart yalong the entire length thereof to define a generallycylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoirto said writing tip, and means mounted in said barrel for partiallyevacuating said reservoir, said means defining a chamber rearwardlydisposed in said barrel assembly and in communication with said ventmeans, said chamber having means defining a passage to 'the atmosphere,a flexible member dividing said chamber into a first space incommunication with said vent means and filling tube and a second spacein communication with said passage, telescoping pneumatic ycylindermeans for closing said passage, partially evacuatiug said second space,spring means normally urging said telescoping cylinder cans to theextended position, and manual control means to selectively lock saidtelescop ing cylinder means in the collapsed position.

2. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly, a cartridge unitdisposed Within said barrel assembly, said cartridge unit including fafluid reservoir having means therein defining communicating capillaryspaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, a forwardly extending generally cylindrical filling tube of noncapillary dimensions i-ncommunication with lthe rearward portion of said reservoir, land agenerally cylindrical writing element having a forward writing tipcoaxial with and surrounding said lling tube to define la generallycylindrical capillary fluid path therebetween for feeding fluid from theforward end of :said reservoir to said writing tip, and means mounted insaid barrel for partially evacuating said resrvoir, said means defininga chamber rearwardly disposed iu said barrel A'assembly and incommunication with said vent means, said chamber having means defining apassage to the atmosphere, a flexible member dividing said chamber intoa first space in communication with said Vent means and a second spacein communication with said passage, telescoping pneumatic cylinder meansfor closing said passage and partially evacuating said second space,spring means normally urging said telescoping cylinder means to theextended position, and manual control means to selectively lock `saidtelescoping cylinder means in the collapsed position.

3. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly, a fluid reservoir withinsaid barrel assembly having means therein defining communicatingcapillary spaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, a forwardlyextending generally cylindrical filling tube of noncapillary dimensionsin communication with the rearward portion of said reservoir and axiallymovable in said barrel assembly, a generally cylindrical writinfrelement having a forward writing tip in fluid communication with saidreservoir, and means mounted in said barrel for partially evacuatingsaid reservoir, said means defining a chamber rearwardly disposed insaid barrel assembly and in communication with said vent means, saidchamber having means defining a passage to the atmosphere, a flexiblemember dividing said chamber into a rst space in communication with saidvent means and a second space in communication with said passage,telescoping pneumatic cylinder means for closing said passage, partiallyevacuating said second space and spring means normally urging saidtelescoping cylinder means to the extended position, and manual controlmeans to selectively lock said telescoping cylinder means to saidfilling tube in the collapsed position.

4. A fountain pen cartridge unit for receiving, storing and feedingWriting fluid comprising a fluid reservoir, a forwardly extendinggenerally cylindrical filling tube in fluid communication with saidreservoir for receiving writing fluid and filling said reservoir, agenerally cylindrical writing element having a writing tip coaxial withand surrounding said filling tube, said filling tube and writing elementbeing substantially axially aligned and closely fitting but spaced apartalong the entire length thereof to define a generally cylindricallongitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoir to saidwriting tip, said filling tube and said writing element being axiallyshiftable relative to one another, and means for producing limitedrelative axial movement between said filling tube and said writingelement, said capillary path comprising a fluid feed path between saidreservoir and said writing tip irrespective of the relative positions ofsaid writing element and said filling tube.

5. A fountain pen cartridge unit for receiving, storing and feedingwriting fluid comprising a fluid reservoir, a forwardly extendinggenerally cylindrical lling tube in fluid communication with saidreservoir for receiving writing fluid and filling said reservoir, agenerally cylindrical writing element fixed to the forward end of saidreservoir and extending forwardly therefrom having a writing tip coaxialwith and surrounding said filling tube, said filling tube and writingelement being substantially axially aligned and closely fitting butspaced apart along the entire length thereof to dene a generallycylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoirto said writing tip, said filling tube and said writing element beingaxially shiftable relative to one another, and means for producinglimited relative axial movement between said filling tube said writingelement, said capillary path comprising a fluid feed path between saidreservoir and said writing tip irrespective of the relative positions ofsaid writing element and said filling tube.

6. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly having an open forwardend and a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel assembly, saidcartridge unit including a fluid reservoir, a forwardly extendinggenerally cylindrical fi ling tube in fluid communication with saidreservoir and having external dimensions substantially less than theoutside diameter of said barrel assembly, and a generally cylindricalwriting element having a thin wall with inside dimensions slightlygreater than said filling tube and having a writing tip coaxial with andsurrounding said filling tube, said filling tube and writing elementbeing substantially axially aligned within said open forward end andspaced apart along the entire length thereof to define a generallycylindrical longitudinal capillary path therebetween from said reservoirto said Writing tip, said filling tube defining an internal fillingpassageway between said reservoir and the forward end of said fillingtube and being axially shiftable relative to said writing elementbetween a forward filling position in which the forward end of saidlling tube is forwardly of said writing tip and a rearward position inwhich said forward end is within said writing element, said writingelement and said filling tube being shiftable together relative to andthrough said open forward end between and extended position beyond saidbarrel assembly and a concealed position within said barrel assembly.

7. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly having an open forwardend and a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel assembly, saidcartridge unit including a fluid reservoir having means therein definingcommunieating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed veut means, aforwardly extending filling tube of noncapillary dimensions in fluidcommunication with said reservoir and having external dimensionssubstantially less than the outside diameter of said barrel assembly,said vent means providing communication between said reservoir and saidfilling tube, and a generally cylindrical writing element having a thinwall with inside dimensions slightly greater than said filling tube andhaving a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube,said filling tube and writing element being substantially axiallyaligned with said open forward end and spaced apart along the entirelength thereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillarypath therebetween from said reservoir to said writing tip, said fillingtube defining an internal filling passageway between said reservoir andthe forward end of said filling tube and being axially shiftablerelative to said barrel assembly and writing element between a forwardfilling position in which the forward end of said filling tube isforwardly of said writing tip and a rearward position, said writingelement and said filling tube being shiftable together relative to andthrough said open forward end between an extended position beyond saidbarrel assembly and a concealed position within said barrel assembly.

8. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly having an open forwardend, a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel assembly, saidcartridge unit including a fiuid reservoir having means therein definingcommunicating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, aforwardly extending filling tube of noncapillary dimensions in 4fluidcommunication with said reservoir and having external dimensionssubstantially less than the outside diameter of said barrel assembly,said vent means providing communication between said reservoir and saidfilling tube, a generally cylindrical writing element having a thin wallwith inside dimensions slightly greater than said filling tube andhaving a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube,said filling tube and writing element being substantially axiallyaligned with said open forward end and spaced apart along the entirelength thereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillarypath therebetween from said reservoir to said writing tip, and meansmounted in said barrel for partially evacuating said reservoir, saidmeans defining a chamber rearwardly disposed in said barrel assembly andin communication with said vent means, said chamber having meansdefining a passage to the atmosphere, a flexible member dividing saidchamber into a first space in communication with said vent means and asecond space in communication with said passage, and means for partiallyevacuating said second space.

9. A fountain pen comprising a barrel assembly having an open forwardend, a cartridge unit disposed within said barrel assembly, saidcartridge unit including a fiuid reservoir having means therein definingcommunicating capillary spaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, aforwardly extending Ifilling tube of noncapillary dimensions in fluidcommunication with said reservoir and having external dimensionssubstantially less than the outside diameter of said barrel assembly,said vent means providing communication between said reservoir andfilling tube, a generally cylindrical writing element having a thin wallwith inside dimensions slightly greater than said filling tube andhaving a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube,said filling turbe and writing element being substantially axiallyaligned with said open forward end and spaced apart along the entirelength thereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillarypath therebetween from said reservoir to said writing up, and meansmounted in said barrel for partially evacuating said reservoir, saidmeans defining a chamber rearwardly disposed in said barrel assembly andin communication with said vent means, said chamber having meansdefining a passage to the atmosphere, a -fiexible member dividing saidchamber into a first space in communication with said vent means and asecond space in communication with said passage, and telescopingpneumatic cylinder means for closing said passage, partially evacuatingsaid second space.

l0. A fountain pen comprising a -harrel section, a cartridge unitdisposed within said barrel section, said cartridge unit including afluid reservoir having means therein defining communicating capillaryspaces and rearwardly disposed vent means, a forwardly extendingfilling.

tube of noncapillary dimensions having external dimensions substantiallyless than the outside diameter of said `barrel assembly in fiuidcommuni-cation with said reservoir through said vent means, said ventmeans providing communication between said reservoir and said fillingtube, and a generally cylindrical writing element having a thin wallwith inside dimensions slightly greater than said filling tube andhaving a writing tip coaxial with and surrounding said filling tube,said tube and writing element being spaced apart along the entire lengththereof to define a generally cylindrical longitudinal capillary paththerebetween from said reservoir to said writing tip, body sleeve meansmounted on said barrel portion to comprise a barrel assembly having anopen forward end, said writing element and 'filling tube being axiallyshiftable together relative to and through said open forward end betweenan extended position beyond said lbarrel assembly and a concealedposition within said barrel assembly, said filling tube beinglongitudinally shiftable relative to said writing tip between a forwardfilling postion and a rearward position within said writing element, andmeans mounted in said barrel for partially evacuating said reservoir,said means defining a charn- Aber rearwardly disposed in said barrelassembly and in communication with said vent means, said chamber havingmeans defining a passage to the atmosphere, a flexible member dividingsaid chamber into a first space in communication with said vent meansand a second space in communication with said passage, telescopingpneumatic cylinder means for closing said passage and partiallyevacuating said second space, spring means normally urging saidtelescoping cylinder means to the extended position, and manual controlmeans to selectively lock said telescoping cylinder means in thecollapsed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,362,948 Teague et al Nov. 14, 1944 2,610,612 Martin Sept. 16, 19522,640,216 Gottlieb .lune 2, 1953 2,649,074 `Burchett Aug. 18, 19532,724,366 Miessner Nov. 22, 1955 2,769,427 Martn Nov. 6, v1956 2,784,699Sheaffer Mar. l2, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 21,631 Great Britain of 1908822,691 France Sept. 27, 1937

4. A FOUNTAIN PEN CARTRIDGE UNIT FOR RECEIVING, STORING AND FEEDINGWRITING FLUID COMPRISING A FLUID RESERVOIR, A FORWARDLY EXTENDINGGENERALLY CYLINDRICAL FILLING TUBE IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAIDRESERVOIR FOR RECEIVING WRITING FLUID AND FILLING SAID RESERVOIR, AGENERALLY CYLINDRICAL WRITING ELEMENT HAVING A WRITING TIP COAXIAL WITHAND SURROUNDING SAID FILLING TUBE, SAID FILLING TUBE AND WRITING ELEMENTBEING SUBSTANTIALLY AXIALLY ALIGNED AND CLOSELY FITTING BUT SPACED APARTALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH THEREOF TO DEFINE A GENERALLY CYLINDRICALLONGITUDINAL CAPILLARY PATH THEREBETWEEN FROM SAID RESERVOIR TO SAIDWRITING TIP, SAID FILLING TUBE AND SAID WRITING ELEMENT BEING AXIALLYSHIFTABLE RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER, AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING LIMITEDRELATIVE AXIAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID FILLING TUBE AND SAID WRITINGELEMENT, SAID CAPILLARY PATH COMPRISING A FLUID FEED PATH BETWEEN SAIDRESERVOIR AND SAID WRITING TIP IRRESPECTIVE OF THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OFSAID WRITING ELEMENT AND SAID FILLING TUBE.
 10. A FOUNTAIN PENCOMPRISING A BARREL SECTION, A CARTRIDGE UNIT DISPOSED WITHIN SAIDBARREL SECTION, SAID CARTRIDGE UNIT INCLUDING A FLUID RESERVOIR HAVINGMEANS THEREIN DEFINING COMMUNICATING CAPILLARY SPACES AND REARWARDLYDISPOSED VENT MEANS, A FORWARDLY EXTENDING FILLING TUBE OF NONCAPILLARYDIMENSIONS HAVING EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THEOUTSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID BARREL ASSEMBLY IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITHSAID RESERVOIR THROUGH SAID VENT MEANS, SAID VENT MEANS PROVIDINGCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID RESERVOIR AND SAID FILLING TUBE, AND AGENERALLY CYLINDRICAL WRITING ELEMENT HAVING A THIN WALL WITH INSIDEDIMENSIONS SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN SAID FILLING TUBE AND HAVING A WRITINGTIP COAXIAL WITH AND SURROUNDING SAID FILLING TUBE, SAID TUBE ANDWRITING ELEMENT BEING SPACED APART ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH THEREOF TODEFINE A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL LONGITUDINAL CAPILLARY PATH THEREBETWEENFROM SAID RESERVOIR TO SAID WRITING TIP, BODY SLEEVE MEANS MOUNTED ONSAID BARREL PORTION TO COMPRISE A BARREL ASSEMBLY HAVING AN OPEN FORWARDEND, SAID WRITING ELEMENT AND FILLING TUBE BEING AXIALLY SHIFTABLETOGETHER RELATIVE TO AND THROUGH SAID OPEN FORWARD END BETWEEN ANEXTENDED POSITION BEYOND SAID BARREL ASSEMBLY AND A CONCEALED POSITIONWITHIN SAID BARREL ASSEMBLY, SAID FILLING TUBE BEING LONGITUDINALLYSHIFTABLE RELATIVE TO SAID WRITING TIP BETWEEN A FORWARD FILLINGPOSITION AND A REARWARD POSITION WITHIN SAID WRITING ELEMENT, AND MEANSMOUNTED IN SAID BARREL FOR PARTIALLY EVACUATING SAID RESERVOIR, SAIDMEANS DEFINING A CHAMBER REARWARDLY DISPOSED IN SAID BARREL ASSEMBLY ANDIN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID VENT MEANS, SAID CHAMBER HAVING MEANSDEFINING A PASSAGE TO THE ATMOSPHERE, A FLEXIBLE MEMBER DIVIDING SAIDCHAMBER INTO A FIRST SPACE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID VENT MEANS AND ASECOND SPACE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID PASSAGE, TELESCOPING PNEUMATICCYLINDER MEANS FOR CLOSING SAID PASSAGE AND PARTIALLY EVACUATING SAIDSECOND SPACE, SPRING MEANS NORMALLY URGING SAID TELESCOPING CYLINDERMEANS TO THE EXTENDED POSITION, AND MANUAL CONTROL MEANS TO SELECTIVELYLOCK SAID TELESCOPING CYLINDER MEANS IN THE COLLAPSED POSITION.